About the photo: The project team for the Tampa Baseball Museum accepts the key to the Al Lopez house from Tampa City Council Chair Charlie Miranda and Hillsborough County Commissioner Kevin Beckner on September 23.

Museum receives key grants

The Ybor City Museum Society has received two grants to support the development of the Tampa Baseball Museum.

The Hillsborough Board of County Commissioners awarded a Historic Preservation Challenge Grant in March 2013. The $250,000 grant must be matched with cash and in-kind contributions to the Tampa Baseball Museum. Contributions are needed to receive full grant funding.

In October, the City of Tampa awarded a Community Redevelopment Area Facade Improvement Grant to the Ybor City Museum Society for the Tampa Baseball Museum. The Ybor City Museum Society was awarded $47,000 to assist with exterior renovation, restoration and rehabilitation of the Al Lopez house and landscape improvements.

Renovations to the Al Lopez house will begin this month, transforming the structure from a house into a museum. The facade will be kept largely intact, with significant reconfiguration of the interior.

Help the Tampa Baseball Museum receive the full grant funding – and turn the museum a reality – by making a donation throughTampaBaseballMuseum.org.

Join the #GivingTuesday Movement

Tampa Baseball Museum is participating in #GivingTuesday, a national movement to improve local communities by encouraging individual donations to nonprofits and causes.

Taking place on December 3, 2013 – the Tuesday after Thanksgiving – #GivingTuesday coincides with the start of the annual shopping season: Black Friday and Cyber Monday. A dedicated day for giving will be created by harnessing the power of social media.

Be a part of #GivingTuesday. Join the movement by donating to the Tampa Baseball Museum. Encourage others to join you in the celebration by using #GivingTuesday on social media.

The Tampa Baseball Museum at the Al Lopez House is being developed by the Ybor City Museum Society, a nonprofit organization that preserves and promotes Ybor City’s cultural heritage and supports the Ybor City Museum State Park.